Author Archives:

How to Promote Old Fashioned Patriotism While Recognizing Where We Have Fallen Short

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•November 10, 2021•
By Brooke Clark
11th grade, ALAH

“Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.- (Adlai Stevenson II) As a lifelong public servant, Mr. Stevenson was well acquainted with the idea of patriotism. Most people, when asked to define patriotism, will say that it involves love or devotion to one’s country. What is harder to define is how patriotism is instilled in the younger generation so that it becomes a substantive aspect of their lives.
Most children are introduced to the notion of patriotism through a system of reverence and ritual. How many children begin their school day by standing and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance with their hands placed over their hearts? Anyone who has attended a school sporting event knows that everyone stands, faces the flag, removes their hats, and again places their hands over their hearts for the performance of the “Star-Spangled Banner”. What happens when the Pledge and the national anthem end? The rote rituals of patriotism are easy and familiar and very few children are taught any level of patriotism beyond those they learned early in school. Read More

Red Herrings, Necessary Verbs and Treating People as Fractions

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•November 10, 2021•
By Jim Baumann
NP Guest Writer

This is not a treatise on the horrible Three-fifths Compromise that determined during the Constitutional Convention that slaves should be counted as 60% of a person for the purposes of taxation and representation.
This is about the common “1 in 500” construction.
Constant reader Jane Charmelo wrote me with a question:
“This was on the front page of the Oct. 30 edition: ‘1 in 500 Illinoisans have died from virus.’ If the verb is to match the subject, isn’t ‘1 in 500 Illinoisans HAS died from virus’ correct? ‘Illinoisans’ is not the subject.”
There are two schools of thought on this, and even disagreement among editors at my newspaper. Read More

Moultrie Moment of the Week

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44 years ago the Hardware State Bank in Lovington built their first drive thru lane. This photo is from the Lovington Reporter dated Sept 1, 1977. Please submit photos to the News Progress for future consideration. Originals will be saved for return or forwarded to Moultrie County Historical Society. If you have any other information, please contact the Moultrie County Historical Society at 217-728- 4085.

Army Veteran Helps Protect People and Property with Business

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•November 10, 2021•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

Army veteran Todd Ratliff, formerly of Windsor, has seen success by running his own business called Total Home and Farm Video Solutions. The company provides digital video surveillance systems and is based in Mattoon. Ratliff graduated in 1988 from Windsor High School and enlisted in 1987.
While overseas, he witnessed the liberation of East Germany. “It was a part of history that my grandchildren talk about in school, and I was there,” he said. Ratliff worked in nuclear missile control satellite communications while in the Army. Read More

Facts for Families: Making Time for Self-Care

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•November 10, 2021•
By Cheri Burcham
Family Life Educator

In a previous article I emphasized how ongoing stress can cause negative physical and mental effects on the body and how practicing self-care or stress management techniques can reduce or maybe prevent those negative effects from happening. Many strategies were suggested, but how do we make the time to do them? There are many ways to stay on track and help you stay accountable.
· Create a self-care plan. This is essentially a self-inventory to make sure you are practicing self-care in all the areas of wellness and well-being. Include not just physical and emotional, but also social, intellectual, environmental and spiritual areas of wellness. How will you show your creativity? Is your physical space welcoming? What can you do to find meaning and joy in your day? Who are your social supports? Read More

Gov. Pritzker Signs Law to Ensure COVID-19 Protections

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•November 10, 2021•
At the request of the Attorney General, Governor JB Pritzker has signed SB 1169 into law, clarifying the legislative intent of the Health Care Right of Conscience Act so that it cannot be abused or misinterpreted to jeopardize workplace safety. This amendment will ensure the long tradition of vaccine requirements by employers can continue with regard to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Masks, vaccines, and testing requirements are life-saving measures that keep our workplaces and communities safe,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Keeping workplaces safe is a high priority, and I applaud the General Assembly for ensuring that the Health Care Right of Conscience Act is no longer wrongly used against institutions who are putting safety and science first.” Read More

Menu 11-10-2021

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Senior Peace Meal

For additional information or for reservations, please call 1-800-543-1770

Nov. 15 - Pork Burger Sandwich, Baked Beans, Collard Greens, Mandarin Oranges, Whole Grain Bun
Nov. 16 - Meatloaf, Creamed Peas and Potatoes, Breaded Tomatoes, Peaches, Whole Grain Wheat
Nov. 17 - Creamed Chicken w/Onions & Pimentos, Tarragon Carrots, Corn, Pineapple, Biscuit
Nov. 18 - Beef Stroganoff over Noodles, Broccoli, 3-Bean Salad, Warm Cinnamon Applesauce, Whole Grain Wheat
Nov. 19 - Roasted Turkey, Mashed Potatoes w/Gravy, Seasoned Green Beans, Pumpkin Pie, Dressing

CDC Recommends Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine for Children 5 to 11 Years

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•November 10, 2021•
Last Wednesday, CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation that children 5 to 11 years old be vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine. CDC now expands vaccine recommendations to about 28 million children in the United States in this age group and allows providers to begin vaccinating them as soon as possible. Read More